Introduction
Rama asks Bharata why he has come to the forest, wearing robes of bark and antelope skin, abandoning Ayodhya kingdom. Bharata informs Rama about Dasaratha’s death and requests Rama to take over the kingdom, endowed to him as per succession. Rama says that since king Dasaratha allotted two different duties to the two of them one enjoining the exile of his elder brother being binding on him and the other bequeathing the kingdom to Bharata, they must be implicitly obeyed by both of them
Verse 1
तम् तु रामः समाश्वास्य भ्रातरम् गुरु वत्सलम् |
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा प्रष्टुम् समुपचक्रमे || २-१०१-१
Rama along with Lakshmana, his younger brother, began to question Bharata, his brother who was devoted to elders (as follows):
1. raamaH = rama; lakSmaNe saha = along with Lakshman; bhraatraa = his younger brother; samupachakrame = began; praSTum = to question; tam = that Bharata; bhraataram = his brother; guruvatsalam = who was devoted to his elders.
Verse 2
किम् एतद् इग्च्छेयम् अहम् श्रोतुम् प्रव्याहृतम् त्वया |
यस्मात् त्वम् आगतो देशम् इमम् चीर जटा अजिनी || २-१०१-२
“I desire to hear from you, why you have come tot his place in robes of bark and an antelope-skin.”
2. aham = I; ichchhayam = desire; shrotum = to hear; pravyaahR^itam = as said; tvayaa = by you; yasmaat = why; kim = and what; etat = in this manner; tvam = you; aagataH = have come; imam desham = to this place; chiira jaTaa jinaH = in robes of bark and an antelope-skin.
Verse 3
किम् निमित्तम् इमम् देशम् कृष्ण अजिन जटा धरः |
हित्वा राज्यम् प्रविष्टः त्वम् तत् सर्वम् वक्तुम् अर्हसि || २-१०१-३
“You ought to tell me all about the purpose for which you entered this place, clad in deer-skin and matted hair, relinquishing the kingdom.”
3. arhasi = you ought; vaktum = to tell; sarvam = all; tat = that; kimnimittam = for what purpose; tvam = you; praviSTaH = entered; imam desham = this place; kR^iSNaajinajaTaadharaH = clad in deer-skin and matted hair; hitvaa = leaving; raajyam = the kingdom.
Verse 4
इत्य् उक्तः केकयी पुत्रः काकुत्स्थेन महात्मना |
प्रगृह्य बलवद् भूयः प्रान्जलिर् वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् || २-१०१-४
Thus questioned by the high souled Rama, by closely embracing him again, Bharata with joined palms answered as follows:
4. iti = this; uktaH = spoken; kaakutthsena = by Rama; mahaatmanaa = the high souled; bhuuyaH = again; balavat = closely; pragR^ihya = embracing him; kaikeyiiputraH = Bharata; praaNjaliH = with joined palms; abraviit = spoke; vaakyam = (the following) words:
Verse 5
आर्यम् तातः परित्यज्य कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् |
गतः स्वर्गम् महा बाहुः पुत्र शोक अभिपीडितः || २-१०१-५
“O, noble brother! Our father the mighty armed, after performing a deed must difficult to perform, and having abandoned us has gone the divine region; he died of grief on account of separation from his son.”
5. aaryam = my noble brother!; taataH = our father; mahaabaahuH = the mighty armed; kR^itvaa = after performing; karma = a deed; suduSkaram = most difficult to perform; parityajya = and having abandoned (us); gataH = has gone; svaragam = to divine region; putra shokaabhipiiDitaH = with grief caused by separation from him son.
Verse 6
स्त्रिया नियुक्तः कैकेय्या मम मात्रा परम् तप |
चकार सुमहत् पापम् इदम् आत्म यशो हरम् || २-१०१-६
“O, tormented of foes! As urged by his wife and my mother Kaikeyi;, our father committed this great sin that has taken away his own reputation.”
6. paramtapa = O; tormented of foes!; niyuktaH = as urged; striyaa = by his wife; mania = and my; maatvaa = mother; kaikeyyaa = Kaikeyi; chakaara = he made; idam = this; sumahat = great; paapam = sin; aatma yashokaram = that has taken away his own reputation.
Verse 7
सा राज्य फलम् अप्राप्य विधवा शोक कर्शिता |
पतिष्यति महा घोरे निरये जननी मम || २-१०१-७
“Without having plucked the fruit of kingdom, widowed and emaciated with grief my mother will fall into the most terrific hell.”
7. apraapya = having not got; raajyaphalam = the fruit of the kingdom; vidhavaa = (but only) having become a widow; shika kashitaa = and emaciated by grief; mama = my; jananii = mother; saa = that kaikeyi; patiSyati = will fall; mahaaghore = in a highly terrible; neraye = hell.
Verse 8
तस्य मे दास भूतस्य प्रसादम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि |
अभिषिन्चस्व च अद्य एव राज्येन मघवान् इव || २-१०१-८
“Grant me, who am your true servant, a favour! This very day, as Indra the Lord of celestials himself, receive the royal anointing!”
8. arhasi = you ought; kartum = to show; prasaadam = kindness; me = to me; daasa bhuutasya = a true servant; tasya = as such; abhiSiN^chasva = and get anointed; raajyena = in the kingdom; adyaiva = this very day; maghanaaniva = like Devendra the Lord of celestials.
Verse 9
इमाः प्रकृतयः सर्वा विधवा मातुरः च याः |
त्वत् सकाशम् अनुप्राप्ताः प्रसादम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि || २-१०१-९
“Grant all these people and these widowed Queens, who have come here to see you, this felicity!”
9. sarvaaH = all; imaaH = these; prakR^itayaH = people; vidhavaaH = the widowed; maatarashcha = mothers; anupraaptaaH = have reached; tvat sakaasham = your proximity; arhasi = you ought; kartum = to show; prasaadam = your kindness.
Verse 10
तदा आनुपूर्व्या युक्तम् च युक्तम् च आत्मनि मानद |
राज्यम् प्राप्नुहि धर्मेण सकामान् सुहृदः कुरु || २-१०१-१०
“O, Prince! For that reason, accept the throne that is befitting; endowed to you as per succession and that is yours by right fulfill, as your should, the desires of your friends.”
10. maanada = O; proud Prince!; tat = for that reason; praapriuhi = accept indeed; raajyam = the kingdom; yuktam = that is befitting; aatmani = you; yuktam = and endowed to you; anupuurvyaa = as per succession; dharmeNa = and as per your right; kuru = and fulfill; sakaamaan = the desires; suhR^idaH = of your friends.
Verse 11
भवतु अविधवा भूमिः समग्रा पतिना त्वया |
शशिना विमलेन इव शारदी रजनी यथा || २-१०१-११
“Bring the widowhood of the entire world to an end by becoming her Lord, as does the immaculate moon to the autumn-night.”
11. samagraa = (Let) the entire; bhuumiH = world; bhavau = become; avidhavaa = bereft of widowhood; tvayaa = by you; patinaa = the Lord; vimalena iva = as the immaculate; shashinaa = moon; shaaradii = to the autumn; rajanii yathaa = night.
Verse 12
एभिः च सचिवैः सार्धम् शिरसा याचितो मया |
भ्रातुः शिष्यस्य दासस्य प्रसादम् कर्तुम् अर्हसि || २-१०१-१२
“Grant this grace to your brother, who prostrates at your feet along with your ministers is both your discipline and your slave.”
12. arhasi = you ought; kartum = to grant; prasaadam = this grace; bhraatuH = to your brother; yaachitaH shivasaa = who prostratas at your feet; ebhiH sachivaiH saartham = with your ministers; mayaa = by me; shiSyasya = who is a discipline; daasasya = and a slave.
Verse 13
तद् इदम् शाश्वतम् पित्र्यम् सर्वम् सचिव मण्डलम् |
पूजितम् पुरुष व्याघ्र न अतिक्रमितुम् उत्सहे || २-१०१-१३
“O, Tiger among men! You cannot disregard this unbroken kingdom, which is eternal, ancestral and honoured.”
13. puruSa vyaaghraH = O; Tiger among men!; naarhasi = you cannot; atikramitum = disregard; idam = this; prakR^itimaN^Dalam = unbroken kingdom; shaashvatam = which is eternal; pitryam = ancestral; puujitam = and honoured.
Verse 14
एवम् उक्त्वा महा बाहुः सबाष्पः केकयी सुतः |
रामस्य शिरसा पादौ जग्राह भरतः पुनः || २-१०१-१४
Thus speaking, the mighty armed Bharata, with tears, once again seized Rama’s feet in great honour, as per precept.
14. evam = Thus; uktvaa = speaking; mahaa baahuH = the mighty armed; kaikeyiisutaH = Bharata; sa baaSpaH = with tears; punaH = again; jagraha = seized raamasya = Rama’s paadau = feet; shirasaa = in great honour; vidhivat = as per precept.
Verse 15
तम् मत्तम् इव मातन्गम् निह्श्वसन्तम् पुनः पुनः |
भ्रातरम् भरतम् रामः परिष्वज्य इदम् अब्रवीत् || २-१०१-१५
Rama embraced his brother Bharata, who sighed again and again like an elephant in rut, and spoke as follows:-
15. raamaH = Rama; pariSvjya = embraced; bhraataram = his brother; tam = bharata; that Bharata; niH shvasantam = who sighed; punaH punaH = again and again; maataN^gam iva = like an elephant; mattam = in rut; abraviit = and spoke; idam = these words.
Verse 16
कुलीनः सत्त्व सम्पन्नः तेजस्वी चरित व्रतः |
राज्य हेतोः कथम् पापम् आचरेत् त्वद् विधो जनः || २-१०१-१६
“How should a man of noble birth, rich in Sattva (goodness), dignified and who has observed sacred vows like myself, commit sin for the sake of a mere kingdom?”
16. katham = how; janaH = should a man; madvidhaH = like myself; kuliinaH = of noble birth; sattva sampannaH = rich in Sattva (goodness); tejasvii = dignified; charita vrataH = and who has observed sacred vows; aacharet = commit; paapam = sin; raajya hetoH = for the sake of a mere kingdom?
Verse 17
न दोषम् त्वयि पश्यामि सूक्ष्मम् अप्य् अरि सूदन |
न च अपि जननीम् बाल्यात् त्वम् विगर्हितुम् अर्हसि || २-१०१-१७
“O, Bharata the annihilator of enemies! I do not see the slightest fault in you and you should not reproach your mother for a childish action.”
17. arisuudanaH = O; Bharata the annihilator of enemies!; na pashyaami = I do not see; suukSmamapi = even a little; doSam = of fault; tvayi = in you; naarhasi chaapi = you ought not even; vigarhitum = to abuse; jananiim = your mother; baalyaat = for a childish action.
Verse 18
कामकरो महाप्राअज्ञ गुरूणां सर्वदानघ |
उपपन्नेषु दारेषु पुत्रेषु च विधीयते || २-१०१-१८
“O, Bharata the highly intelligent and the faultless man! It is incumbent always on the part of the elders to act freely with reference to their wives and progeny.”
18. mahaapraaj^Na = O; Bharata the highly intelligent!; anagha = and the faultless man!; vidhiiyate = It is incumbent; sarvadaa = always; guruuNaam = on the part of the elders; kaamakaaraH = to act freely; upapanneSu = with reference to their esteemed; daareSu = wife; putreSu aha = and progeny.
Verse 19
वयमस्य यथा लोके संख्याताः सुअम्य साधुभिः |
भार्याः पुत्राश्च शिष्याश्छ त्वमनुज्ञातुमर्हसि || २-१०१-१९
“O, gentle brother! Since it was said thus by virtuous men in this world, we should all, women children and disciples, obey our Lord; this must be known to you.”
19. saumya = O; gentle brother!; yathaa = In what manner; samkhyaataaH = it was said; saadhubhiH = by virtuous men; loke = in this world; (in the same manner); tvam = you; arhasi = ought; anj^Naatum = to know; (that); vayam = we; bhaaryaaH = the women; putraashcha = children; shiSyaashcha = and disciples; (obey); asya = our Lord.
Verse 20
वने वा चीरवसनं सौम्यकृष्णाजिनाम्बरम् |
राज्ये वापि महाराजो मां वासयितुमीश्वरः || २-१०१-२०
“The great king is the master, who has a discretion either to make me reside in the forest, wearing bark robes and a black antelope skin or to sit on the throne, O gentle brother!”
20. mahaaraajaH = The great king; iishvaraH = is the master; vaasaye tum maam = who may either make me reside; vane vaa = in the forest; chiiravasanam = wearing bark robes; kR^iSNaajinaambaram = and a black antelope skin; raajye vaapi = or to sit on the throne; saumya = O gentle brother!.
Verse 21
यावत् पितरि धर्मज्न गौरवम् लोक सत्कृते |
तावद् धर्मभृताम् श्रेष्ठ जनन्याम् अपि गौरवम् || २-१०१-२१
“O, excellent among the supporters of law and the virtuous! The same degree of respect is to be paid to our mother, as is due to our father, who is honoured by all.”
21. shreSTha = O; excellent; dharma bhR^itaam = among the supporters of law!; djar;ak^Ne = and the virtuous!; taavat = the same degree; gouravam = of respect; jananyaamapi = is due to our mother; yaavat = as is due; pitari = to our fathrs; lokasatkR^itam = who was honoured by the world.
Verse 22
एताभ्याम् धर्म शीलाभ्याम् वनम् गग्च्छ इति राघव |
माता पितृभ्याम् उक्तो अहम् कथम् अन्यत् समाचरे || २-१०१-२२
“How can I do otherwise, while both my parents of virtuous nature ask me to go to the forest?”
22. katham = how; aham samaachare = can I do; anyat = otherwise; uktaH = while i was spoken; etaabhyaam maataa pitR^ibhyaam = by both my mother and father; dharmashiilaabhyaam = of virtuous nature; vanam gachchha iti = to go to the forest.
Verse 24
त्वया राज्यम् अयोध्यायाम् प्राप्तव्यम् लोक सत्कृतम् |
वस्तव्यम् दण्डक अरण्ये मया वल्कल वाससा || २-१०१-२३
“It is for you to occupy the throne in Ayodhya that the world reveres and it is for me to occupy this Dandaka forest, wearing bark robes.”
23. raajyam = The throne; ayodhyaam = in Ayodhya; loka satkR^itam = that the world reveres; praaptavyam = is to be occupied; tvayaa = by you; daN^DakaaraNye = and in the Dandaka forest; vastavyam = is to be occupied; mayaa = by me; valkalavaasasaa = wearing bark robes.
Verse 25
स च प्रमाणम् धर्म आत्मा राजा लोक गुरुः तव |
पित्रा दत्तम् यथा भागम् उपभोक्तुम् त्वम् अर्हसि || २-१०१-२५
“That pious souled king, the preceptor of the world is the standard authority for you and you have to enjoy the share given by our father accordingly.”
25. saH raajaa = that king; dharmaatmaa = the pious souled; lokaguruH = and the preceptor of the world; pramaaNam = is the standard authority; tava = for you; tvam = you; arhasi = ought; upabhoktum = to enjoy; yathaablaagam = according to the share; dattam = given; pitraa = by our father.
Verse 26
चतुर्दश समाः सौम्य दण्डक अरण्यम् आश्रितः |
उपभोक्ष्ये तु अहम् दत्तम् भागम् पित्रा महात्मना || २-१०१-२६
“I, for my part, shall enjoy the share given to me by our high-souled father for fourteen years, taking my abode in Dandaka forest, O gentle brother!”
26. aham tu = I; for my part; upabhokSye = souled; pitraa = father; chaturdasha = for fourteen; samaaH = years; aashritaH = taking my abode; daN^Dakaaranyam = in Dandaka forest; saumya = O; gentle brother.
